The escalating trade dispute between Canada and the United States is increasingly shaping Quebec’s provincial election campaign, with the key parties offering competing visions for how to protect jobs and businesses from the impact of tariffs.

The issue moved to the forefront Tuesday after federal counter-tariffs against the United States prompted reactions from party leaders across the province.

Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader Christine Fréchette unveiled a series of measures aimed at shielding Quebec’s economy from potential fallout, saying the province must stand firm in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

In a related development, “We are heading for hard times and Quebec will not back down in the face of Trump,” Fréchette expressed.

Among the proposals, Fréchette called on municipalities, organizations and consumers to prioritize Quebec-made goods.

“I urge municipalities, organisms as well as citizens, consumers, to buy more Quebec products,” she mentioned.

Furthermore, fréchette also proposed changes to Quebec’s public procurement process that would bar U.S. companies from bidding on certain provincial contracts, creating more opportunities for Quebec and Canadian firms.

Nevertheless, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard argued the CAQ’s plan does not go far enough.

“Most of the ideas that she proclaimed this morning were actually ideas that I proposed last week except that they’re less ambitious,” Milliard noted.

Additionally, parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, whose party continues to lead in recent polling, also criticized the administration’s approach.

St-Pierre Plamondon expressed the PQ is better positioned to defend Quebec’s interests as the trade dispute intensifies.

“Who has the best team and the best intellectual understanding of what’s going on to defend Quebec interests with regards to the tariffs,” he stated, pointing to his party’s economic expertise.

It is worth noting that the PQ leader also raised concerns about Ottawa’s handling of the dispute, arguing Quebec businesses were not adequately consulted before the federal administration imposed counter-tariffs.

“If Quebec’s interests are sacrificed and are not taken into consideration in the measures that they put forward, that’s a problem for us. And that’s a problem for our economy,” he expressed.

Business groups have largely backed Ottawa’s decision to retaliate against U.S. tariffs, while warning that the uncertainty is creating challenges for companies.

In the broader context, véronique Proulx, president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, noted the federal administration has taken appropriate steps to defend Canadian interests, but businesses affected by the dispute may need additional support.

The trade dispute is likely to remain a leading campaign issue as party leaders prepare for a series of election debates in the coming days and weeks, giving voters a clearer look at how each party plans to respond to growing economic tensions with the United States.